Whether you call it modular building, factory build or offsite construction, the technique of making a project’s components in a central location then transporting them to be installed at the job site is commonplace in many parts of the world, but only now attracting more attention in North America. The efficiencies for tract builders are easy to see, but does this approach offer anything to the renovator or custom builder? Because of advances in automation and digital design, the answer is a qualified “yes.” Come to the Contractor Productivity Forum, Oct. 1 at the Toronto Congress Centre to see if these methods can help your profits.

Richard Lyall is the president of RESCON and has been serving the Ontario construction industry since 1991. He is a frequent speaker and popular source quoted by media on construction industry issues. His insightful columns appear regularly in The Toronto Sun, Canadian Real Estate Wealth, Storeys, Builder Bites, Daily Commercial News, Canadian Contractor and On-Site. He has a successful track record in advancing RESCON’s vision, mission and values through his high-level board and strategy work. He was honoured with the 2019 Canadian Lifetime Volunteer Award from the International Foundation of Employee Benefit Plans for his contributions to enriching the organization's educational efforts and is also on a steering committee of the Chicago-based Council on Tall Buildings and Urban Habitat. He is also on the Ontario Housing Supply Action Plan Implementation Team.